Condition-specific Health-related Quality Research Articles

Rasch validation and refinement of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 in an Italian cohort with secondary lymphedema

Purpose To produce and validate an Italian version of the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale version 2 (LLISv2-It), a tool measuring the impact of lymphedema on health-related quality of life, and investigate its main psychometric characteristics. Methods After translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the LLISv2, we administered it to 156 subjects with secondary lymphedema (upper or lower limb), together with (depending on the limb involved) either the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) or the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). We analyzed the performance of LLISv2-It using Classical Test Theory and Rasch methods. Results Cronbach alpha was 0.89. Item fit statistics indicated that item #12 was underfitting (Infit MnSQ = 1.56; Outfit MnSq = 1.75). Test-retest reliability of the 17-item version (without item #18, not scored, according to the original authors) and of a 16-item version (without #12 and #18—a unidimensional item set) were both excellent (ICC2.1 = 0.93; 95%). The minimum detectable change was 8.9 points. The correlation of LLISv2-It with DASH and LEFS was r = 0.81 and −0.57, respectively. Conclusions The Italian version of the LLISv2 is reliable and valid. To make the tool more psychometrically sound, we recommend to not calculate items #12 and #18 in the total score. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The Lymphedema Life Impact Scale (LLISv2) is particularly useful as a validated condition-specific health-related quality of life measure for patients with chronic edema/lymphedema. We have validated its Italian version (LLISv2-It). We also examined the psychometric properties of the LLISv2 in individuals with secondary lymphedema of either upper or lower limb, using both classical test theory and Rasch techniques, to provide insights for further refinement of the questionnaire. Based on our results, we recommend not to count item #12 in the total score (besides #18, as already suggested by the original authors). Moreover, we determined that the minimum detectable change of the LLISv2 was 9 points. This information is helpful in clinical practice to understand if the change in score is not due to chance (measurement error). Although further research is warranted, the present validation study of the LLISv2 increases the confidence in the metric quality and clinical utility of the scale to assess lymphedema-specific health-related quality of life in individuals with secondary lymphedema of either upper or lower limb.

The spasticity-related quality of life 6-dimensions instrument in upper-limb spasticity: Part I Development and responsiveness.

ObjectiveTo describe the development of the Spasticity-related Quality of Life 6-Dimensions instrument (SQoL-6D) and its sensitivity to clinical change (responsiveness).DesignMulticentre, prospective, longitudinal cohort study at 8 UK sites (NCT03442660).PatientsAdults (n = 104) undergoing focal treatment of upper limb spasticity.MethodsNo condition-specific health-related quality of life tool is available for upper-limb spasticity of any aetiology. The SQoL-6D was developed to fulfil this need, designed to complement the Upper Limb Spasticity Index (which incorporates the Goal Attainment Scaling evaluation of upper limb spasticity [GASeous] tool) with targeted standardised measures. The 6 dimensions of the SQoL-6D (score range 0–4) map onto common treatment goal areas identified in upper-limb spasticity studies. A Total score (0–100) provides overall spasticity-related health status. To assess responsiveness, the SQoL-6D, Global Assessment of Benefit scale and ”GASeous” were administered at enrolment and 8 weeks.ResultsSignificant differences in mean SQoL-6D Total score change and effect sizes across patients rating ”some benefit” (0.51) and ”great benefit” (0.88) supported responsiveness.ConclusionThe SQoL-6D is a promising new measure of health status in upper limb spasticity, that enables systematic assessment of the impact of this condition in relation to patients’ priority treatment goals. A psychometric evaluation of SQoL-6D is presented separately.LAY ABSTRACTUpper-limb spasticity is a condition in which muscles become ”tight”, restricting use of the arm and hand. Questionnaires have been developed to assess a person’s quality of life, but are not specifically designed to assess the impact of spasticity on a person. The Spasticity-related Quality of Life 6-Dimensions instrument (SQoL-6D) was created to address this deficiency. The development of the SQoL-6D is described here, along with analysis of its responsiveness to ensure that the SQoL-6D detects changes in spasticity symptoms following treatment (as reported by patients using other questionnaires). These analyses showed that the SQoL-6D captured changes in the burden of spasticity for people with this problem. Other technical psychometric properties of the SQoL-6D are reported in the companion paper available in this issue.

Searching for the Holy Grail: A Systematic Review of Health-Related Quality of Life Measures for Active Youth.

To identify the most suitable existing generic and condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for active youth with and without a musculoskeletal injury, based on measurement properties, interpretability, and feasibility. Systematic review of clinimetrics. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Scopus from inception to April 30, 2020. Records with original data describing the evaluation of a PROM or PROM subscale in active youth (15-24 years old) with or without a musculoskeletal injury were included. Non-English studies and those including individuals with a cognitive, developmental, or systemic condition were excluded. This review was conducted according to the COSMIN user manual for systematic reviews of PROMs and the PRISMA guidelines. The COSMIN user manual guided our measurement property evaluation and interpretability and feasibility description. Of 6931 potential records, 21 studies were included. Eleven generic and 7 condition-specific PROMs were identified. No PROM received a final COSMIN recommendation of "A" because all lacked sufficient content validity. The 8-item Disablement in the Physically Active scale-mental summary component Short Form (DPA-MSC SF-8), Quality of Life Survey, and Functional Arm Scale for Throwers (FAST) were the most suitable existing PROMs, given their high-quality evidence for sufficient structural validity and internal consistency. No definitively robust PROM for measuring generic or condition-specific HRQoL of active youth was identified. Until one exists, we recommend the DPA-MSC SF-8, the Quality of Life Survey, or the FAST and applying mixed methods to best characterize the HRQoL of active youth. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(10):478-491. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10412.

Condition-specific health-related quality of life amongst amateur athletes six months and one-year following sport-related concussion: A prospective, follow-up

ObjectiveTo prospectively investigate the condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of athletes six months and one-year following sport-related concussion. DesignProspective, longitudinal study. SettingClinical research centre at university school of public health. ParticipantsAmateur athletes who were diagnosed with sport-related concussion within one-week after presenting to a hospital emergency department were recruited along with sex-, age-, and activity-matched, non-concussed, control athletes. Concussion and control participants were assessed six months and one-year following sport-related concussion and study enrolment, respectively. Main outcome measuresParticipants completed the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale and five condition-specific HRQoL patient-reported outcome measures – Headache Impact Test-6, Fatigue Severity Scale, Neck Disability Index, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. We performed Frequentist and Bayesian mixed-design analyses of variance to compare the concussion group and control group at both assessments and quantify whether there was greater evidence in favour of the null hypothesis compared with the alternative hypothesis. ResultsAt six-month and one-year assessments, the concussion group (n = 47; male = 72%; mean (SD) age = 22.68 (5.07)) and the control group (n = 47; male = 72%; mean (SD) age = 23.81 (4.60)) reported similar clinical symptom severity scores and condition-specific HRQoL. The proportion of athletes in the concussion group with clinically-impaired scores was similar to the proportion of non-concussed athletes with clinically-impaired scores. At six-month and one-year assessments, there was moderate-to-very strong evidence that there was no difference between concussion and control participants’ perceptions of the effects of headache, fatigue, neck pain, anxiety, and dizziness on HRQoL. ConclusionThere was moderate-to-very strong evidence in favour of no difference between the concussion and control groups on symptom severity scores and condition-specific HRQoL patient-reported outcome measures at six-month and one-year assessments. These results suggest that condition-specific HRQoL returns to the levels of non-concussed individuals within six months following sport-related concussion.

Headache- and Dizziness-Specific Health-Related Quality-of-Life Impairments Persist for 1 in 4 Amateur Athletes Who Are Cleared to Return to Sporting Activity Following Sport-Related Concussion: A Prospective Matched-Cohort Study

To prospectively investigate the recovery of athlete-reported symptoms and the condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following sport-related concussion. Prospective matched-cohort study. We recruited amateur athletes who were diagnosed with sport-related concussion by emergency department physicians. Study participants were assessed at 3 time points following sport-related concussion. At each assessment, participants completed 5 condition-specific HRQoL patient-reported outcome measures to evaluate participants' perceptions of the effects of specific concussion-related symptoms on their HRQoL. We performed log-linear analyses to assess the proportion of concussed participants with clinically impaired condition-specific HRQoL compared with the proportion of participants in the control group with clinically impaired condition-specific HRQoL. Fifty participants with sport-related concussion and 50 control participants matched by sex, age, and activity completed the study. Upon return to sporting activity, there was a significantly greater proportion of participants in the concussion group who perceived that headache, neck pain, and dizziness had an adverse effect on their HRQoL compared with the control group. Two weeks after return to sporting activity, there was still a significantly greater proportion of participants in the concussion group who perceived that headache (χ21 = 9.0; odds ratio [OR] = 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 15.2; P = .003) and dizziness (χ21 = 9.5; OR = 13.5; 95% CI: 1.8, 604.9; P = .006) had an adverse effect on their HRQoL compared with the proportion of clinically impaired participants in the control group. Of concussed participants, 1 in 4 perceived that headache and dizziness had adverse effects on their HRQoL after returning to sporting activity following sport-related concussion compared with nonconcussed, control participants. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(12):692-701. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9485.

Correlates of 1-Year Change in Quality of Life in Patients with Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Findings from the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network.

We evaluated and identified baseline factors associated with change in health related quality of life among patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. A total of 191 men and 233 women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (collectively referred to as urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome) were followed for 12 months with bimonthly completion of the Short Form 12 to assess general mental and physical health related quality of life, and with biweekly assessment of condition specific health related quality of life using the Genitourinary Pain Index. A functional clustering algorithm was used to classify participants as improved, stable or worsened for each health related quality of life measure. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine baseline factors associated with change. Physical health related quality of life improved in 22% of the participants, mental health related quality of life improved in 25% and condition specific health related quality of life improved in 47%. Better baseline physical health related quality of life, older age and the presence of nonurological symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of improvement in physical health related quality of life. Better baseline mental health related quality of life, female sex, and greater baseline depression and stress were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in mental health related quality of life. Better baseline condition specific health related quality of life and more severe baseline urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain symptoms were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in condition specific health related quality of life. While several nonurologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome factors influenced the trajectory of general health related quality of life over time, only condition specific baseline health related quality of life and urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms were associated with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome specific health related quality of life change. Significant differences in how urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome impacts various aspects of health related quality of life suggest a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment of these patients.

Correlation of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Technique with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Symptoms

Introduction: Assessment of POP by POP-Q gives anatomical site-specific measurement, which helps in surgery, follow-up and reduces inter-observer variation. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) is condition-specific health-related quality of life questionnaires for women with pelvic floor disorders.
 Objective: To assess pelvic organ prolapse by POP-Q technique and to correlate pelvic floor distress inventory questionnaire with POP-Q segments. Methodology A prospective study was done from March 2014 to February 2015 after ethical approval from IRC, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. All patients with pelvic organ prolapse were included after informed verbal consent. The patients were then asked questions as in pelvic floor distress inventory questionnaire (PFDI) and noted in performa. The patients were then examined by POP-Q technique and noted. The informations were entered in the MS excel chart and statistical analysis done using SPSS 11.5.
 Results: There were 72 patients enrolled. The mean age of patients was 53.65 years. Majority of patients were found to have stage 4 prolapse (43.1%). POP-Q examination showed majority of patients had anterior and apical compartment defect. Correlation between POP-Q points and urinary symptoms showed significant relation with points in anterior compartment, genital hiatus and perineal bodies. Correlation with POP-Q points with colorectal symptoms showed involvement of genital hiatus significantly with strain stool and incomplete bowel movement. Correlation with pelvic distress symptoms with POP-Q sites showed significant relation with bulging, push up vagina for urination and defecation.
 Conclusion: POP-Q site specific points showed significant correlation with symptoms from Pelvic Floor Distress Inventry (PFDI) questionnaires.

PRS56 - COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF AMBULATORY OXYGEN IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN FIBROTIC LUNG DISEASE: A TALE OF TWO OUTCOMES

Ambulatory oxygen may allow patients with fibrotic lung diseases to lead an active and independent life for longer. This economic analysis compares the health service costs and health-related benefits of ambulatory oxygen with those of usual care from a NHS perspective. Data on costs of ambulatory oxygen and condition-specific health-related quality of life outcomes (measured using the KBILD and SGRQ instruments) were collected alongside a UK prospective, multicentre randomised controlled crossover trial in which participants received ambulatory oxygen or no oxygen for a 2 week period each. The primary outcome measure was change in K-BILD scores. Benefits were also estimated as QALYs derived by translating SGRQ scores to EQ-5D-3L utility weights using a published mapping algorithm. The incremental costs were £90.16 per person treated with a 3.47 increase in K-BILD score, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness of £25.96 per unit increase in K-BILD. However, the estimates were highly uncertain. When the QALY was used as an outcome, ambulatory oxygen was dominated by usual care as it was both more costly than usual care and produced fewer QALYs (although the difference in QALYs was not statistically significant). There was a 0.059 probability that ambulatory oxygen would be considered cost-effective at a threshold of £20,000 per QALY. The cost-effectiveness of ambulatory oxygen in ILD may depend on the outcome measure used. When evaluated using the K-BILD, its cost-effectiveness will depend on willingness to pay for an improvement in K-BILD score. When evaluated using the QALY (converted from SGRQ), ambulatory oxygen is unlikely to be cost-effective for managing interstitial lung disease. Findings are limited by the short duration of the trial and the lack of data supporting conversion of the trial’s primary outcome (KBILD) to QALYs.

Relationships Among Use of Complementary and Alternative Interventions, Urinary Incontinence, Quality of Life, and Self-esteem in Women With Urinary Incontinence.

The purpose of this study was to examine associations among sociodemographic characteristics, urinary incontinence (UI) characteristics, UI-specific quality of life and self-esteem, and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions for UI. Correlational-descriptive research. This sample comprised 394 female patients 18 years or older cared for in the urology and gynecology outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Samsun, Turkey. Participants completed an investigator-developed questionnaire that included 2 validated instruments, King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data and use of CAM interventions. Variables associated with CAM use were assessed using χ analysis. The differences between using CAM and scales points of the KHQ and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale were assessed using the t test, and the relationship between the KHQ and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale was assessed using correlation analysis. Thirty-three percent (n = 130) of women indicated using CAM interventions to manage their UI. The most common CAM intervention, reported by 52.6% of respondents, was prayer. Women with lower UI-specific quality of life and self-esteem scores were more likely to report using CAM interventions (P < .05). Women with lower education level used CAM more frequently than others (P < .05). Analysis revealed weak but statistically significant positive correlations for role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, emotions, sleep/energy level and the symptom severity (P < .001), and personal relationships (P < .01) subdimensions of the KHQ. One-third of women indicated using CAM methods to manage their UI; the most commonly used intervention was prayer. Women using CAM reported both higher self-esteem and condition-specific health-related quality of life than women who did not use these interventions.

Examining General Versus Condition-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life Across Weight Categories in an Adolescent Sample

This study examined health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across weight categories in adolescents using both a general and a condition-specific measure sensitive to fatigue symptoms. Participants (N = 918) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory and PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale measures. Actual height and weight were used to calculate body mass index for age and sex percentiles and assign weight categories. No interaction effects between total HRQoL and weight category and gender were found; however, main effects were found for both weight category and gender. Future research should examine the impact of using different measures to assess HRQoL outcomes across weight categories.

The responsiveness of the International Prostate Symptom Score, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

To examine the responsiveness of a combined symptom severity and health-related quality of life measure, condition-specific health-related quality of life measure and mental health measure in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. To establish the responsiveness of measures that accurately capture the change in health status of patients is crucial before any longitudinal studies can be appropriately planned and evaluated. Prospective longitudinal observational study. 402 patients were surveyed at baseline and 1-year using the International Prostate Symptom Score, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21. The internal and external responsiveness were assessed. Surveys were conducted from March 2013-July 2014. In participants with improvements, the internal responsiveness for detecting positive changes was satisfactory in males and females for all scales, expect for the Depression subscale. The health-related quality of life question of the International Prostate Symptom Score was more externally responsive than the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7. The International Prostate Symptom Score and Anxiety and Stress subscales were more responsive in males than in females. The symptom questions of the International Prostate Symptom Score and Anxiety and Stress subscales were not externally responsive in females. The health-related quality of life question of the International Prostate Symptom Score outperformed the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 in both males and females, in terms of external responsiveness.

Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life With the Parental Opinions of Pediatric Constipation Questionnaire.

The purpose of this study was to develop a caregiver-completed constipation condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument. 410 caregivers of children aged 2-18 years completed the Parental Opinions of Pediatric Constipation (POOPC), the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, PedQL Family Impact Module, Pediatric Symptom Checklist, the Functional Disability Inventory, the Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and a demographic questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the POOPC. Analyses yielded four factors called Parental Burden/Distress, Family Conflict, Difficulties with the Medical Team, and Worry about Social Impact that reflect problems in HRQL secondary to constipation and soiling, which were generally more strongly correlated with similar measures relative to a general measure of youth's psychosocial functioning. The POOPC is a psychometrically sound measure, which may be useful to clinicians and researchers identifying domains of treatment needs for children and their families.

Improving the mapping of condition-specific health-related quality of life onto SF-6D score

This study sought to improve the predicative performance and goodness-of-fit of mapping models, as part of indirect valuation, by introducing cubic spline smoothing to map a group of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures onto a preference-based measure. This study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional health survey data assessing the HRQOL for patients with colorectal neoplasms. Mapping functions of condition-specific functional assessment of cancer therapy-colorectal (FACT-C) onto preference-based SF-6D measure were developed using a dataset of 553 Chinese subjects with different stages of colorectal neoplasm. The missing values of FACT-C were imputed using multiple imputation. Then three widely applicable models (ordinary least square (OLS), Tobit and two-part models) were employed for the mapping function after applying the cubic spline smoothing on the data. For the evaluation of the effectiveness of cubic spline smoothing and multiple imputation, the goodness-of-fit and prediction performance of each model were compared. Analyses showed that the models fitted with transformed data from cubic spline smoothing offered better performance in goodness-of-fit and prediction than the models fitted with the original data. The values of [Formula: see text] were improved by over 10%, and the root mean square error and the mean absolute error were both reduced. The best goodness-of-fit and performance were achieved by OLS model using transformed data from cubic spline smoothing. Cubic spline smoothing and multiple imputation were recommended for the mapping of HRQOL measures onto the preference-based measure. Among the three mapping models, the simple-to-use OLS model had the best performance.

Setting oral health goals that include oral health-related quality of life measures: a study carried out among adolescents in Thailand

The aim of this study was to assess the association between oral diseases and condition-specific oral health-related quality of life (CS-OHRQoL) as a basis for proposing OHRQoL-based goals for the population of 15-year-olds in Thailand. Oral examinations and OHRQoL interviews were conducted with 871 15-year-olds as part of the Sixth Thailand National Oral Health Survey. The severity of oral impacts was categorized using "intensity". Associations between oral diseases and CS-OHRQoL were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression. Thirty-nine percent of 15-year-olds experienced moderate/higher levels oral impacts on quality of life. Compared to those individuals with no tooth decay, adolescents with one or four or more decaying teeth were three and seven times more likely to experience moderate/higher impacts, respectively. Adolescents with extensive gingivitis in 3 or more mouth sextants were twice as likely to experience moderate/higher CS-impacts. Based on these findings, it is proposed that goals should focus on untreated decaying teeth and extensive gingivitis. Oral health goals for 15-year-olds should include specific OHRQoL measures.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE SIMPLIFIED CHINESE VERSION OF SEATTLE ANGINA QUESTIONNAIRE (SC-SAQ)

ObjectivesThe Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) was widely used and well validated in the westercountries. We aimed at validated the reliability and validity of its Chinese version, which is called the...

Compromised Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Low-Grade Glioma

To investigate the generic and condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with low-grade glioma (LGG). A total of 195 patients with LGG, which was diagnosed, on average, 5.6 years before the study, were compared with 100 patients with hematologic (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma and chronic lymphatic leukemia cancer (NHL/CLL) and 205 general population controls who were comparable with patients with LGG at the group level for age, sex, and education (healthy controls). Generic HRQL was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, and condition-specific HRQL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study cognitive function questionnaire and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer brain cancer module. Objective neurocognitive functioning was assessed with a standardized battery of neuropsychological tests. No statistically significant differences were observed between patients with LGG and patients with NHL/CLL in SF-36 scores. Patients with LGG scored significantly lower than healthy controls on six of eight scales and on the mental health component score of the SF-36. Approximately one quarter of patients with LGG reported serious neurocognitive symptoms. Female sex, epilepsy burden, and number of objectively assessed neurocognitive deficits were associated significantly with both generic and condition-specific HRQL. Clinical variables, including the time since diagnosis, tumor lateralization, extent of surgery, and radiotherapy, did not show a consistent relationship with HRQL. Patients with LGG experienced significant problems across a broad range of HRQL domains, many of which were not condition-specific. However, the neurocognitive deficits and epilepsy that were relatively prevalent among patients with LGG were associated with negative HRQL outcomes and, thus, contributed additionally to the vulnerability of this population of patients with cancer.

Prevalence and Effect on Health‐Related Quality of Life of Overactive Bladder in Older Americans: Results from the Epidemiology of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Study

To evaluate the prevalence and effect of overactive bladder (OAB) on healthcare-seeking behavior, mental health, and generic and condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older adults. Secondary analysis of the U.S. sample of the Epidemiology of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (EpiLUTS) study-a population-based, cross-sectional, Internet-based survey. Community. Two thousand four hundred eighty-five men and 2,877 women aged 65 and older. Prevalence and effect on HRQL of urinary symptoms, including OAB. OAB was defined as the presence of urinary urgency and/or urinary urgency incontinence. Descriptive analyses and subgroup comparisons were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of OAB in men and women aged 65 and older and the effect of OAB on various aspects of HRQL. The survey response rate was 46.9% of men and 61.0% of women. Prevalence rates of OAB at least "sometimes" were 40.4% in men and 46.9% in women. OAB was associated with significant impairments across all domains of patient-reported outcomes, including general HRQL (Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short-Form Survey), ratings of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and urinary condition-specific outcomes (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition) (P<.001). OAB is common in older adults in the United States and is associated with substantial impairment in mental health and HRQL, but rates of treatment seeking behavior are low. Older patients should be assessed for OAB.

Chinese validation of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ). Women who presented for pelvic floor disorders completed the Chinese version of PFDI and PFIQ, SF-36, a 3-day urinary and fecal diary. POP-Q assessment, urodynamic study, anal manometry, and ultrasound were performed where appropriate. Five hundred and ninety-seven women completed the study. The Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability of PFDI and PFIQ was 0.92 and 0.98, and 0.77 and 0.79, respectively. Convergent validity was demonstrated with negative correlation of PFDI and PFIQ with SF-36; positive correlation of staging of prolapse, urinary or fecal incontinent episodes with the respective subscales of PFDI and PFIQ. The Chinese version of PFDI and PFIQ are reliable and valid condition-specific health-related quality of life questionnaires for women with pelvic floor disorders.

Incorporating Children's and Their Parents' Perspectives into Condition-Specific Quality-of-Life Instruments for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study

ObjectivesThis study investigated the extent of agreement between children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents concerning their views on what contributed to the children's quality of life. It also investigated how well an Australian condition-specific health-related quality of life self-report measure for children with CP, the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (CP QOL-Child), mapped to the views of UK children and parents. MethodsUK children with CP aged 8 to 13 years and their parents participated in qualitative interviews about their perspectives on the child's quality of life. ResultsThe interviews with 28 children and 35 parents showed considerable overlap but also some divergence. For example, both parties considered social relationships to be important, but children described how they enjoyed being on their own at times whereas parents tended not to value time spent alone for children. The CP QOL-Child covered most themes considered to be important to the children's quality of life. Omissions included relationships with extended family members, restful recreational activities and associated possessions, relaxing, tiredness, negative emotions, and safety. ConclusionsBoth children's and parents' views are required for the development of child health-related quality of life instruments. The CP QOL-Child has good coverage of many aspects discussed in the interviews. Cultural differences may account for its omission of some topics considered important by UK children and parents. Rewording of many of the CP QOL-Child's items and further work on item content would optimize its suitability for UK children and possibly for children elsewhere.

The Relationship of 60 Disease Diagnoses and 15 Conditions to Preference-Based Health-Related Quality of Life in Ontario Hospital-Based Long-Term Care Residents

Population-based diagnosis- and condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores are required for decision-making and research purposes. These HRQoL scores do not exist for hospital-based long-term care (LTC) residents. To estimate the impact of 60 diseases and 15 conditions on caregiver-assessed preference-based HRQoL. Residents in hospital-based LTC facilities in Ontario, Canada were identified from administrative databases containing resident minimum data set (MDS) assessments completed between August 1st, 2003 and March 31st, 2008. A preference-based HRQoL measure, the MDS Health-Status Index (MDS-HSI) score, was calculated for 66,193 residents. Average MDS-HSI scores and multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the impact of the diagnoses and conditions, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, and other diagnoses, aphasia exhibited the largest negative relationship to the MDS-HSI (-0.085), followed by cancer (-0.072) and Alzheimer disease (-0.062). Cancer was also the second most prevalent diagnosis (27.6%). Lack of balance was a common condition (87.3%) and it had the greatest negative relationship to MDS-HSI scores among the 15 conditions (-0.099). The diagnoses and conditions regression models had R values of 0.12 and 0.34, respectively, suggesting that clinical conditions provided better explanatory variables for the MDS-HSI than diagnoses. The findings suggest that diseases affect preference-based HRQoL differently in a hospital-based LTC population compared with previous studies in the general population. The population-based MDS-HSI scores from this study can be used as reference values in cost-effectiveness analyses for hospital-based LTC populations.